Koch Lesson 2: Add the Letter R

Why this step

R (.-.) is the first dit-led three-element letter. It sits in the same length class as K but starts on a dit instead of a dah. Adding it now tests whether you learned K as a sound, or as “the one with dashes.”

What to hear

R is “dit-dah-dit.” Compared with K (“dah-dit-dah”), the bookends swap. A common miss: hearing the middle dah of R and calling it K. Wait for the first element — dit means R, dah means K.

Drill

Active set: K, M, R. Random copy only. If R is weak, do not drop speed; repeat R against K in the same session. The trainer link below locks lesson 2 so a partner starts with the same three letters.

Letter groups you can type in the translator once the ear is warm: KR, MR, RM, RR

Pitfall

Mnemonic “radio” is fine after the session, not during it. During copy, refuse to translate into words until the letter is already named.

Practice text

Drill K/R pairs: KR RK KRR RKK. Focus on first element: dit-start is R, dah-start is K. Add M only after R is stable in mixed order.

Common mistakes

• Hearing the middle dah and guessing K for every three-element letter.
• Adding S early because SOS is familiar — stay on three letters until metrics say go.

Session notes

Lesson 2 is the first time a dit-led three-element letter enters the set. Spend one session copying only R and K back-to-back, then add M on the third day so R does not become “the letter that starts with a dit.” Write error tallies: K mistaken for R usually means you reacted to the middle dah before the closing dit arrived. Re-listen with headphones at a fixed volume. Document your WPM and do not change it mid-week; Koch progress is accuracy-gated, not calendar-gated. When you teach a friend, send them this lesson URL plus the practice hash so you debrief the same drills.

Practice schedule

Days 1–2: R against K only. Days 3–4: add M after R stays above a comfortable accuracy. Days 5–6: mixed three-letter groups at the same speed. Day 7: review the errors before you add S. Do not change WPM mid-week.

ARRL licensing and learning pages recommend audio-first copy before increasing speed.